Tag: Organ

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Shrine’s famous display of 12,000 roses on Mother’s Day. This year the amount is “plussed” with the added plus of a concert by the Basilica Choir and Orchestra! Enjoy an afternoon in celebration of our moms, as well as the Mary, Mother of God. Hear a series of different settings of the beloved “Ave Maria” text as well as John Rutter’s magnificent setting of Mary’s own song, “Magnificat”.

On Sunday, April 26th, at 5 PM, The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen of Baltimore presents Solemn Choral Vespers. The Cathedral Choir will sing solemn Vespers for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. All music (hymn, anthems and organ pieces) will be by Charles V. Stanford. This concert is open to the public, no tickets required.

Everyone has heard the expression that to sing is to pray twice. Music provides an additional dimension to our prayers that can add meanings beyond what the words alone can say. Instrumental music therefore can express thoughts and feelings that we may not have found the words to express.

The pipe organ with its variety of musical colors (especially the large instrument here at the Cathedral) has the capacity to convey a wide range of emotions. The US bishops make this clear in Sing to the Lord:

Among all other instruments which are suitable for divine worship, the organ is “accorded pride of place” because of its capacity to sustain the singing of a large gathered assembly, due to both its size and its ability to give “resonance to the fullness of human sentiments, from joy to sadness, from praise to lamentation.” Likewise, “the manifold possibilities of the organ in some way remind us of the immensity and the magnificence of God.” (STL, #87)

While we rejoice the triumph of Jesus Christ over death, there are many stories of pain and suffering also in the Bible: the slavery of the Israelites, the trials of Job, and even the crucifixion of our Lord. The concert this afternoon will explore how different composers have chosen to paint in music these songs of lament. Beginning with settings of Psalm 130 (Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord), continuing through the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and concluding with the death of Jesus on the cross, the program offers a wide palette of musical styles and emotions that I hope will bring you not into the depths of despair but into a deeper relationship with God. If you are able to be here, please come.

More information about the event including a complete program listing may be found here.

This is my first video recorded at the Cathedral of Mary, Our Queen in Baltimore. There are two identical consoles for the organ at the cathedral and pipes at each end of the building. This excerpt from my Suite in French Classical Style on Vexilla Regis was recorded from the console in the sanctuary using only pipes from the gallery. Watch carefully to notice the delay between my fingers and the audio!

Join us for a beautiful, fun and festive evening with your favorite Christmas classics and heart-warming renditions of music you’ll love. From bells ringing and lights gleaming to the warmth of a manger bed, start your season with this annual Christmas tradition for the whole family.

There will be three performances of this concert:

Saturday, December 6 at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 7 at 4:00 p.m.

Tickets for the concerts will be $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under 12. Children under 3 are free.

The concert will be in the St. Luke’s Sanctuary. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime and concert goers are encouraged to come early as all seats are general admission. Any tickets not claimed at Will Call five minutes before the start of the performance will be released.

Join us for a beautiful, fun and festive evening with your favorite Christmas classics and heart-warming renditions of music you’ll love. From bells ringing and lights gleaming to the warmth of a manger bed, start your season with this annual Christmas tradition for the whole family.

There will be three performances of this concert:

Saturday, December 6 at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 7 at 4:00 p.m.

Tickets for the concerts will be $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under 12. Children under 3 are free.

The concert will be in the St. Luke’s Sanctuary. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime and concert goers are encouraged to come early as all seats are general admission. Any tickets not claimed at Will Call five minutes before the start of the performance will be released.

Join us for a beautiful, fun and festive evening with your favorite Christmas classics and heart-warming renditions of music you’ll love. From bells ringing and lights gleaming to the warmth of a manger bed, start your season with this annual Christmas tradition for the whole family.

There will be three performances of this concert:

Saturday, December 6 at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 7 at 4:00 p.m.

Tickets for the concerts will be $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under 12. Children under 3 are free.

The concert will be in the St. Luke’s Sanctuary. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime and concert goers are encouraged to come early as all seats are general admission. Any tickets not claimed at Will Call five minutes before the start of the performance will be released.

The annual celebration of Advent and Christmas music, featuring seasonal favorites for choir and orchestra as well as John Rutter’s thrilling “Gloria”. And don’t forget the sing-along! This is the Basilica’s most popular concert, so come early for the best seats. Preceeding the concert at 5:30pm will be an open house at the Basilica Gift Shop and Museum with light refreshments.

These two movements for organ and brass quintet were written for the wedding of my wife’s brother. The Chorale was written for the entrance procession, beginning quietly with a dramatic build for the entrance of the bride. The Festive Flourish was written for the recessional and is a joyous march with toccata figuration for the organ at the end.